Man swept by river in Isabela found face down, rope tied to foot, days after son survives tragedy

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela – The body of a 37-year-old father who went missing after the boat he and his seven-year-old son were riding capsized while fishing in a river was recovered four days later in Ilagan City, Isabela, on November 11.

The victim, identified as Ryan “Reylan” Ngayan, was found lifeless by fishermen in Barangay Cadu at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, after days of search operations.

Ngayan and his son went fishing in a river near their residence in Barangay Ballacong at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, when their boat reportedly capsized.

The seven-year-old boy managed to swim to shore and seek help from nearby residents, while his father struggled to stay afloat.

Ngayan was believed to have been swept away by the strong current following heavy rainfall in the area that afternoon.

His family had earlier appealed to the public for information and assistance as search operations continued.

Fishermen eventually found his body in Barangay Cadu, with his face down and a rope tied around his left foot. Authorities have yet to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

In a separate incident, the body of a 49-year-old man who reportedly drowned while fishing along the Cagayan River in Barangay Sapping, Camalaniugan, Cagayan, on Tuesday was also recovered by civilian volunteers near the reported drowning site.

Authorities reminded fishermen to avoid going out to rivers during bad weather and to monitor weather advisories before engaging in fishing activities to prevent similar tragedies.